Women who receive opioids during labour have a fivefold increased risk of being diagnosed with acute colonic pseudo-obstruction following caesarean section, new research shows.

Melbourne surgeons say risk of the rare complication, also known as Ogilvie’s syndrome, is also greater with increased blood loss.

“This information may be used to improve early identification by obstetricians and allow prompt commencement of conservative management which is effective at preventing progression to serious disease,” they reported.

In a retrospective case-control study of more than 19,000 women undergoing caesarean section at the Royal Women’s Hospital between 2008 and 2016, the authors investigated the risk factors associated with the development of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO).